Rural Road Infrastructure Assessment and Enhancement for Autonomous Vehicle Deployment

This project aims to accelerate the deployment of automated vehicle (AV) technologies by assessing rural road infrastructure readiness. The project will utilize commercial AV with advanced driver assistance systems and lab AV with automated driving systems to collect data on physical infrastructure and digital infrastructure under varying conditions such as diverse road types, weather, and lighting. Sensors such as cameras, GPS, and 5G communication modules will be used for data collection in selected testing facilities and public roads in Georgia and North Carolina. The project will also develop a software tool that processes collected data using traditional algorithms and machine learning techniques. This tool will generate detailed summary reports and visualizations, enabling stakeholders to quantify infrastructure readiness, understand deficiencies, and prioritize areas for improvement. The goal is to identify specific infrastructure challenges limiting automated vehicle performance and propose guidelines and actionable strategies to enhance compatibility. This project will inform investment and policy decisions by delivering findings from targeted rural areas.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.cr2c2.com/research/major-research-initiatives/mri-2/project-r2-5
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project R2-5

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $200,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348304

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  North Carolina Department of Transportation

  P.O. Box 25201
  1 South Wilmington Street
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27611

  University of Georgia Research Foundation (UGARF)

  310 E. Campus Rd.,
  Athens, GA  United States  30602
• Managing Organizations:

  Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities

  North Carolina A&T State University
  Greensboro, NC  United States  27411

  University of Georgia Research Foundation (UGARF)

  310 E. Campus Rd.,
  Athens, GA  United States  30602
• Project Managers:

  Getahun, Tesfamichael

  Yao, Handong

• Performing Organizations:

  North Carolina A&T State University

  1601 E. Market Street
  Greensboro, NC  United States  27411

  University of Georgia Research Foundation (UGARF)

  310 E. Campus Rd.,
  Athens, GA  United States  30602
• Principal Investigators:

  Getahun, Tesfamichael

  Yao, Handong

• Start Date: 20250101
• Expected Completion Date: 20251231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced vehicle control systems; Autonomous vehicles; Evaluation and assessment; Implementation; Infrastructure; Machine learning; Rural areas
• Geographic Terms: Georgia; North Carolina
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01949494
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348304
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Mar 22 2025 12:20PM